The United States Women's National Team advanced to the World Cup final in impressive style after beating top-seeded Germany, but the Americans have unfinished business as they challenge Japan on Sunday at 7 p.m. for their first championship since 1999. The U.S. team should enter this match as a confident group with strong performances in its last two games. After barely edging England in the semifinals, Japan will have its work cut out for them as they try to prevent an Independence Day weekend parade for the Americans. Here are three things the USWNT needs to do to win.

3. GET NUMBERS FORWARD AND CREATE

If U.S. Coach Jill Ellis was watching the Japan-England match closely (and certainly she was), she saw that Japan was put under extreme pressure by an aggressive and physical England team. England had plenty of quality scoring chances, but could not break through for the game-winning goal. The Americans cannot afford to squander their chances to put the game away. Against the U.S., Japan will likely try to defend first, absorb pressure and try to counterattack when it wins the ball. If the U.S. can score an early first-half goal and force Japan to come out and play, the U.S. should be able to control this match. Ellis may want to adjust her formation to a possession-based 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 diamond to activate and sustain more attack time and orchestration of play deep in Japanese territory. We should see more of forwards Sydney Leroux, Amy Rodriguez or Kelly O'Hara paired with Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd to go after two goals. This group must also close down loose balls and collect weak clearing attempts in Japan's half of the field. If the U.S. can clog lanes and prevent Japan's outlet passes, this will limit the Japanese counterattacking efforts and provide additional and immediate offensive opportunities for the Americans.

2. PLAY BIG

The Japanese are quick and athletic, but are a bit undersized. Japan struggled to win loose balls, air balls and tackles against a taller and visibly stronger England side. The U.S. must be technically and physically strong on the ball when in possession. If first touches are clean and passes are accurate/purposeful, it's hard to see the U.S. not being able to take advantage of a shorter and lighter Japanese team. The Americans should be able to hold the ball and capitalize on set pieces following fouls in the offensive third and on corner kicks. Expect the U.S. to get their fair share of both. Flighted balls around the undersized Japanese goalies (Ayumi Kaihori is 5-7 and Miho Fukumoto is 5-5, while U.S. goalie Hope Solo is 5-9) and back line could be the difference in this one. Look for Abby Wambach or Julie Johnston, who may be the player of the tournament, to get their heads to a cross or two off restarts. The caution here is to not rely solely on hopeful flighted balls , since this will make play too predictable and these have a tendency to sail over or skid away from would-be attackers.

Japan dodged a major bullet against England by fortunately manufacturing two goals. The first was by way of a penalty shot on a questionable call and the second on a bizarre/late England own goal. The U.S must be sturdy, strong, organized and smart in its defensive end. The defensive group of Hope Solo, Julie Johnston, Becky Sauerbrunn, Meghan Klingenberg and Ali Kreiger have been a fortress and have not allowed a goal since the 27th minute of their first tournament game. The U.S. must surround, outnumber and contain the Japanese counterattack and communicate and defend as a team as they have done this entire World Cup. . The U.S. midfielders need to track back quickly and get behind the ball to assist the back line and provide quick outlet passes when the U.S. regains possession.

PREDICTION: USA 3-1 JAPAN

Expect the American's Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and the other U.S. forwards to press the Japanese back four into a mistake or two that which will lead to a few quality U.S. scoring chances. If the U.S. can find the net in the first half or early on, the U.S. could run away with a big win. Look for Carlie Lloyd to continue to play with confidence as she leads the charge and for 22 year-old center back Johnston to be named player of the tournament if she plays well in the final. Wambach could be a factor late in the game as a sub, but don't be surprised to see her get additional time as her size advantage could cause problems for Japan in the air.